Given the hurried lifestyle and schedule driven form society has taken on in the modern era, it is increasingly important for children to experience the benefits of play. Playgrounds can provide a much-needed outlet and environment for the kind of play that is conducive to proper development. “Play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth.”-Ginsburg. The social benefits of playground in the modern world are more important than ever. In a world of electronic social interactions, the ability for children to play without the influence of modern technology-based environments helps develop much needed skills. Playgrounds also offer a place for parents to observe their children acting on their own, and therein to understand the workings of their mind, which can in turn lead to better parenting. The health benefits of playgrounds in a country plagued with obesity are fairly obvious. Subsequently, playgrounds help enhance the emotional and social aspects of a child that enhance the academic growth in a synergistic relationship. Last, but certainly not least, playgrounds offer a level of social equity in creating an environment that anyone, no matter socio-economic status can benefit from.
All children will benefit from social interaction and development with a diverse population of peers. “Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills.”-Ginsburg. As adults, we stress so much the importance of educating our youth, we may not give adequate attention to the supplementary role of other types of learning to the formal education. There is a myriad of skills necessary to adulthood that cannot be taught in a classroom. Free play offers a great environment to build such skills.
Playgrounds also offer a great semi-controlled environment in which parents can enhance both their relationships with their children and their own ability to parent (National Program for Playground Safety). In the playground environment, children are allowed unguided play in a less structured environment where there are still rules. Watching their children play in this environment can lead to a deeper understanding of the way their children think. Understanding the workings of their little minds allows parents a better way to make the kinds of connections that deepen a child’s understanding of the world and their role and behavior in it. After all, children do not come with manuals, and even if they did, they would all be different.
In a country plagued with an obesity epidemic, there has never been a time in which active play was more important to children-(The Role of Modern Playgrounds). By implementing policies that encourage a healthy diet along with at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity the obesity epidemic can be corrected (Healthy Schools). In an age of cell phones and tablets, where children would rather watch Youtube than play baseball, having the opportunity to explore an interesting and interactive environment that offers physically charged play is imperative. Children who are actively playing are not only in better physical health, but they are experiencing better cognitive development as well.
The importance of play in its supporting role to the academic environment cannot be overstated. Academic learning is certainly of the utmost important, but without emotional development and social interaction and growth, it leads to unbalanced cognitive development-(The benefits of Playgrounds). Children benefit from a greater preparedness for learning, better behavior as it relates to the learning environment, and problem-solving abilities that are a huge part of academic learning. The problem-solving skills also create the ability to apply what is learned in the academic environment.
One of the great things about playgrounds is they level the socio-economic playing field. Children in economically disadvantaged homes and environments may not have access to the same resources children in wealthier homes may find commonplace-(The benefits of Playgrounds). Lower income homes need the many benefits of play addressed here as much as children in homes where there may be the ability to create the kind of environment that these types of learning can take place. It should not be a pre-decided fate that these types of opportunities for growth can only be available to the ‘lucky” ones. Playgrounds offer these things to everyone.
The benefits of playgrounds are boundless. The ability for children to get much needed physical activity exploring age appropriate and safe environments while developing interpersonal skills is invaluable. While the cost is measurable, the limits of the payback is not. We are constantly stressing on the importance of education, and the supplementary learning of a different sort provided at play is equally important.
- Ginsburg, Kenneth R. “The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds.” Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 1 Jan. 2007, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/119/1/182. An article delineating the importance of play to child development. Includes a clear outline of the social, academic, emotional, and health benefits of childhood play and gives a clear understanding of the necessity of this unguided play. Also addresses the modern roadblocks to these activities and the lifestyles that have diminished the time allotted to such activity. Also looks into the anxieties and stresses caused by the aforementioned reduction of play time. Concludes with recommendations for parents, child care, and medical professionals alike to build structures that will allow for the environment needed for these types of activities.
- “The Role Of The Modern Playgrounds In Child Development.” Fundamentally Children, 3 Jan. 2018, www.fundamentallychildren.com/2012/09/06/the-role-of-the-modern-playground-in-child-development/. Article by Dr. Amanda Gummer, the founder of “Fundamentally Children”, looking into the benefits of playgrounds. She addresses the usual health concerns such as obesity, high levels of inactivity, risk of injury, not to mention the influence of crime. She also gives a list of developmental benefits both in cognitive reasoning and emotional stability. Dr. Gummer also gives a solid framework for what a good playground consists of, including but not limited to a diverse set of play options, social/cooperative enhancing aspects, and physical activities. She then concludes with an outline of benefits for parents both with their children as participants and as observers.
- “National Program for Playground Safety.” ADA | National Program for Playground Safety, playgroundsafety.org/safe/age-appropriate-design. Provides guidelines for playgrounds. First addresses the need for “age appropriate designs” and lists such for age groups 6-23 months, 2-5 years, and 5-12 years. Clearly outlines the requirements of each age group as the needs progress and change as the child does. Next discusses emotional benefits of playgrounds with suggestions for proper parental support. Also looks into the benefits for playground environments as they are available to all, a good playground being a place that accommodates for all. Closes with a list of things (materials, structures, etc) recommended to avoid in playgrounds.
- “The Benefits of Playgrounds on Child Development.” Foundations for Learning, 2 Oct. 2017, www.thefoundationforlearning.com/the-benefits-of-playgrounds-on-child-development/. A direct outline of the benefits of playgrounds. Discusses the physical and health aspects as well as the benefits of outlets for energy and aggression in children. Also looks into the benefits to self-esteem of the activities in playgrounds. Next addresses the necessary social developments of children and how playgrounds can enhance them. Next lists the mental strengthening benefits of playgrounds for problem solving skills and other intellectual exercises. Finally provides an insight into the benefits of playgrounds to the ethical development of children, how fairness and rules can still be observed in a freer environment making ethical boundaries a thing of choice rather than being forced by authority.
- “Healthy Schools.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 29 Jan. 2018, www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/obesity/facts.htm. A direct report from The Center of Disease Control that gives current statistics regarding the obesity epidemic. Includes the most recent statistics of the percentage of youth effected by obesity. Also includes recommendations for how to treat and manage obesity.